This week I'm using both Roubo benches to build some large interior trim pieces in cherry. I feel like a true Roubo-style joiner wrangling these 11-foot frame and panels. The Benchcrafted Roubo is pulling its weight processing the individual pieces, while the Plate 11 Roubo is where assembly and trimming is taking place. I feel completely guilty having two incredible benches within a couple steps of each other. It's a feeling I could get used to.
But today the Plate 11 bench solved a workholding problem that made me smile. The toothed planing stop did something that no tail vise and dogs could. I butted a miter into the planing stop and face planed the board. The toothed stop held that board rock solid. Try that with dogs. Pfft.
Yes, I could have held this short board between dogs (pinching the square edges) and planed across the long axis of the bench. But that only works for short boards. What about longer ones? The toothed planing stop is clearly the ideal choice here. After working on my French Oak bench a few times now, I'm convinced that we need to add the toothed stop to our Split Top Roubo bench plans. And that means we also need to start selling toothed planing stops. Stay tuned.